The Sun. — London, England, 1864-07-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATUM .-...04 %.6 11, ii, tit ,L*irhifftkiiii 0‘..44 SUIT. ...0 , - , ,,:ki , -.......-,., ,, ....,• LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1864. The extraordinary circumstances attendant upon the death of Mr. Triomas BRIGGS (chief clerk at the banking firm of Messrs. RUBARTS, LUBBOCK, and comp , c y), still remain, up to the moment at which we era wr iting, wholly unexplained, All, i n fact, that is yet k no wn in regard to that death m a y be very readily re capitulated. It was frighffally sudden in its occurrence —rapid in its completion— and, to all appearance, was a death of extraordi nary violence. Everything about it—in s pite of its bewildering suddenness, and in spite al so of the still more bewildering rapidity of its comple tion—pointed distinctly, upon the first discovery of the facts of the case, to its being the result of a most brutal murder. The particulars that seemingly point it out thus as a case of assass i n ation are, amen g others, these—The fearful injuries (as fro m bea u blows) discovered upon th © head of the deceased ! The blood-stained floor and cushions of the compart ment of the first class railway carriage in which he had, but a few seconds before, been travelling. The bloody finger-marks upon the windows, upon the door handle, upon the latch of his empty leather-bag, as w ail as upon the footboard and the external pannel ling of the railway carriage in which he had died an d from which he had hem precipitated. Other circumstances indicate no less conclusively the fact that it must have been a death accomplished by the hand of a murderer. Among these—the missing watch and gold aibert-chain, the fastening of the extremity of which chain was found attached to tha buttonhole of the dead man's waistcoat, the rest of the chain and the gold chro nometer having vanished. Added to this circum stance the fact of the chair having been exchanged, under most suspicious circumstances, the very morning after Mr. BRIGGS'S sudden and apparently violent death, and pArted with thus by A MAU since accident! There is an old adage which tells us that there are none SO deaf as those that will not hear ; and certainly it may be followed by the aphorism that none are so dull as those that will not under stand. It is cf:rtainly a very strange thing that no amount of argument or opposition, or even an ad verse vote, can succeed in convincing her INIAJEsTv's Ministers that it is the wish and intention of the House of Commons to retain the Nati ona l G a ll ery on its present site. In this matter at least the pre sent House fairly enough represents the feelings of the people, although its political views have in many instances proved in opposition to the public. It has g i ven a d ec id e d opinion on the matter, and has been supported in its oppos ition to the favourite scheme of G overnmen t by t h e g eneral feeling of all classes. The retent i on o f t h e National Gallery on its present site is readily recognisable as the most sensible and suitabl e method of settling the long discussion. The spot is still central in spite of the spreading suburbs; it is easily accessible oa foot or by vehicle, while the great focus of rain FOUS at there is Tiungerford will add still greater facilities to the th e n nowhere discoverable. Then , ag ain, the otherwise surely very remark able eircumstance / means of access already existing. Thanks to those of a hat being found in the blood-bespattered rail- metropolitan lines which are threatening to turn way carriage compartment, which turned out to be- - London upside down, entirely for the convenience not the dead man's, but another man's hat—ar .d of the sufferers, persons may now traverse its wile that man nowhere any more traceable as yet till derness of streets with very little delay or the exchanger of the gold chain already mentioned ! fatigue ; but it is undoubtedly the right There—in the scene of all this fearful bloodshed, course to pursue with a building of this character there in that railway carriage compartment, noge- to place it in a position which is within easy reach ther with the dead man's stick and leathern bag of all classes, not only of those more favoured mem (the latter with the mark of the bloody hand upon hers of society, who possees the magi agent which its fastening) wa s—not the deceased's hat, but contracts time and space. If, indeed, c the Netional —another man's —a stranger's! Not a gentleman's Gallery were now in a situation which did not accord hat—not a hat of the better sort—but a commcon with the character of the institution, it might be cheap London hat—belonging to some unknoeyn desirable to reconsider the point, but Trafalgar rson. Everything here , we repeat , point s to the Hiner° has been styled " the fi nest site in Euro p e," Ye fact of Mr. BRIGGS'S death having been one of great and it is capable of being made, as it ought to be, the ' brutality and violence, caused by the hand of a centre of artistic interest. Within a iew cf the old murderer. One's instant impression is that the historic walls of Westminster and the Houses of strange, battered, bloodstained, common hat is the Parliament, were the intervening streets enlarged murderer's ! One's instant impression is also that and improved, as they ought to be, with the monua the blocdy finger-marks on the fastening of the ment of our greatest naval hero in its front, dead man's leather bag were the bloody finger-marks surrounded, if the design be ever fairly carried out, of the murderer, That murderer seeking—while by memorials of other English worthies, there could scarcely be a more fitting locality with yet red handed—in the bag, the bo ot y he had hoped to win by reason of this deed of assassins- regard to external associations. If half the care tion. The forcible rending away from the dead and money were expended on Trafalgar-square man's possession of his gold watch and his gold that have been lavished on those favoured snots near chain—all except the hook or fastenin g of the latter, Kensington, it would now present an appearance a where it was too strong l y entan g led with his little more in accordance with our national dignity clothing to be extricated in a hurry—this likewise and with the wishes of the public. People very s eems to us, quite as clearly as the rest of it, to have naturally prefer to fix their place of abode at a little been the work of a murder er, and of none else than distance from the centre of business, but they do not a murderer, or a murderer' s accom p lice. It ma y pos• expect all the old fixtures, as CHAS. MATHEWS says , sibly be deemed by some a mere waste of womb, in- to become part of the moveables. Nobody pretends sisting upon all this, und er such ver y fri g htful and that it would be desirable for the Commons to re . ex t r aordinary circumstances. Yet, so singularly move their place of deliberation from St. Stephen's ingenious an hypothesis has been thrown out this to Kensington or Btompton—no one advises that morning by an anonymous correspondent of our St. Paul's should be transported to some more airy morning contemporary the Herald , to the effect or elegant situation in the west. There are changes that the death of Mr. BRIGGS was, after all, the enough being clamoured for which the Government is unwilling to grant, or even to entertain the idea result of no murder whatever, that we have fe l t constrained to recall the above mentioned facts of; but this transposition, which is not wanted, to mind, before giving the argument pnt forth in they are always ready to tattle about. In the die this same ingenious hypothesis in the manner fol- cuseion which arose in Supply on Thursday even lowing, The deceased gentleman—suggests dais coring the old feeling was very strongly manifested. respondent of our contemporary—" Mnßriggs, had Three separate representatives of the Government been dining out, and possibly from congesti o n he —one of them the Prime Minister himself—per may have had an attack of hemastemisis, or vomiting sisted with some ascerbity in pretending that the of blood ; from giddiness or other apoplectic feeling House of Commons had come to no decision on the matter. The right hon. speakers were warned by about the head he may ha 'e taken up the first hat he found at his last place of call, and hurried to the the continued interruptions of the House that their train ; there he is seized with vomiting, and to his memories were inaccurate, and, indeed, they were horror he discovers it is blood ; he turns over the told so plainly enough. Sir JOHN SHELLEY, in his cushions to ascertain the fact, and on doing so, he usual straightforward manner, said that he thought tries the window, but finds it barred. He t hen, with it a most unfortunate circumstance that the House, his bloody hand, tries the handle of t he door to do what it might, could not peasuade Ministers that get it open, and while pushing and turnin g the it was determined that the National Gallery should handle, the door flies open, and out he is precipi. remain at Trafalgar square. Surely, said the hon. tated on his heed, the watch guard or any loop baronet, it was the duty of the First Commissioner catching any projection, and the watch a nd guard of Works to bow to the decision of the House. either carried along the line on the footboard, or But Ministers with crotchets and pet schemes are not thrown with him, where it may yet b e found. I very willing to submit to any unfavourable decision, might enter into more minute detai ls t o account for and accordingly it is easy to assert that the house, though. it has expressed its opinion pretty often, m inor circumstances, " observes the correspondent," but fearing to tresspass on your columns, I only and once or twice in an unmistakable manner, has wish to add that an assault oa a b a nker ' s clerk, never actually committed itself to any particular with the hope of finding money, would scarcely scheme. Lord P - ALMERSTON was full of virtuous indignation because the House expected the Govern be undertaken at ten o'clock on a Saturday ni ght , or any night returning from a bank." Now , of ment to have a scheme ready at once when they course, as the propounder of this (we repeat) had just refused to accept the Ministerial proposal, very ingenious hypothesis insists above , all this which, even as the noble lord put it, sounds absurd may have occurred precisely according to enough to merit the most emphatic disapproval. " What they had thought best, was to provide for his conjectures. Mr. BRIGGS may have taken the stranger's hat instead of his own by mistake—and the National Gallery at the back cf Burlington so forth. But—if he fumbles with his blood- House, and to leave the Royal Academy at Trafal gar-square." The noble lord hopes next session to soaked band at the window and at the door to t each open—how comes he to be fumbling pre- propose some scheme which will reconcile all existing viously with the lock of his own empty leather differences. What that schcmo is to be the future bag ? What possibly could he have been doing must unfold, but it must be very difLtrent from any that for ? Again, the gold watch ma y have thing that has yet issued from higher official quay ters before it will coal:need itself to the common been torn out of his pocket, during the accidental fall here hinted at, and have been t hrown sense and right feeling of the people. somewhere on to the line, where it may yet be dis covered lying ! Only—days and nights have since passed by--and it has not been so discovered nor even a fragment of it! And—what is more—the missing gold chain, - the gold chain missed simul taneously, from the dead body, together with the gold chronometer, is known to have been exchanged the day afterwards, on the sly, by an unknown man, who can nowhere since then be discovered. No—the strange, common, cheap hat, found blood stained and battered in that ghastly railway car. riage compartment—the disappearance of the gold chronometer—the mysterious exchange made by some unknown and undiscoverable person of the lost gold chain—the bloody hand-mark on the dead man's travelling-bag —to say nothing about the murderous wounds discovered upon the skull of the unfortunate deceased—all point clearly and distinctly, to our thinking, to his death as the result of a most brutal, sudden, ruthless, in hut- an assassination. The railway official whom he had cheerily bidden " Good Night" a minute or two before his awful and violent death, can testify that, even as recently as up to that moment, there was no evidence of the confusion supposed by the correspondent to have been so heavily by that time upon Mr. BRIGGS' faculties that he had blundered himself out of the possession of his own hat and instead of that carrying away upon his head that of another person'e! One other con sideration not yet referred to by us about the cirs cumstance attendant upon Mr. BRIGGS'S appalling death we would here direct especial attention to, as, to our thinking, in its way, perfectly conclusive, that the unhappy gentlemen did not come by his death in the manner suggested by this correspondent, but that he did die the death of the victim of a cruel and inhuman murder. This simple, and, as we t eonceive, quite conclusive con sideration, being the fact that the door of that hideously blood saturated compartment of the railway carriage—in which the dead man's stick and travelling bag (the both blood stained) was found, together with the common cheap hat of some other person un known—that the door of that compartment, from which the dead man's body had been precipitated, was found—closed-to afterwards ! .And not swings ing wildly open—as must have been the case had the deceased fallen out, as suggested, merely by The Factory Acts Extension Bill has passed through Committee. This is very satisfactory to reflect upon, for it is a measure that was urgently called for, and indeed the only wonder is that it was not sooner projected. It must not be supposed either that enough has been done in this line, for, as Lord SHAFTESBURY observed, this should be only the precursor of a series of measures which would confer the greatest benefit on the country. It is a sad thing that while wealth increases and commerce flourishes, the health of the operatives should be injured, and their lives too often sacri ficed in consequence of the want of precauti:ma being adopted and due observance paid to the im portant rules which relate to health and the violation of which entails such useful con sequences. The working of this bill will be the means of affording relief to a hundred thousand children and young people who have hitherto drooped under the pressure of overwork, n d that ,under circumstances which militated greatly against their health, It is always a source of great pleasure to the deserving mind to reflect that the rising generation are well cared for. There is no greater security for the well-being of a State than the right training of its youth. It is not in accordance:with the.laws of ancient wisdom, or con sonant with the principles that modern science has inculcated, to allow the culpable neglect that of late years has taken place among U 3 to continue. If this timely aid had not been administered, and this respite allowed to those overtaxed faculties and over worked frames, the consequences at a future period would undoubtedly have been fatal to themselves in many instances, and injurious to the interests of the community. There is no greater mistake than this over hurry to get rich, and many disastrous results have ensued therefrom: There is great truth in Lord SHAFTESBURY'S remarks on the claims which the workpeople of this country have on the conside• ration of the House. During the late cotton famine no riots had taken place, and indeed the noble lord said that their predictions had been verified, that if the Factory Bill passed there would be no more sedition in these places. it is some relief to those who regret that the state of the young operatives throughout the country should be so Lad, to know that since the recent factory legislation took place the condition of the children there has much im proved, and that deformity has almost entirely dis appeared. These facts prove beyond dispute that the criticism of captions persons is unfounded, and that great good may be effected by the adoption of these remedial schemes. A suggestion weis made that the luciftr match manufacturers and the makers of percussion caps should be exempted these regulations, but most fortunately it was not paid attention to, for Lord SHAFTESBURY con firmed the statement already made by many cora petent judges, as to the very injurious nature of these professions. In fact, these trades are about the worst that exist. The employment of mak ing Lucifer matches gives rise to jaw disease; and women and young children are those who are generally engaged in the making of percussion caps. The two hours' extra work, from six to eight, from eihich the provi s i ons o f thi s bill release them, are and the beneficial consequences of very injurious, this shortening o f th e i r to i l w i ll now b e a pparent, as it has been is the case of the operativcs of the factories. The gas at night is prejudicial in the Iclose rooms where they w or k, an d t h ese h ours a ft e r the lon day's labour come very heavy upon 0198 e who begin the career of an operative at so early an age. What may seem trivial alterations to those who have never been in the habit of being much with these classes, or of witnessing the effects of their toilsome career, is, in reality, a most important change, and one that is sure to work well and hap pily for them in the longrun. Lord SHAFTESBURY must be as competent a judge in such matters as anyone, for he has devoted himself to the task during many long years, and he has exhibited such pains in the prosecution of the arduous researches necessary for the due compre hension of the case, that those who have not had inclination or opportunity to judge for themselves, and become personally acquainted with the state of the operations, and the effect which their labour has upon them, can confidently rely upon his judgment in all matters that are disputed. There was groat opposition to the changes in the factory hours of labour at the time when the measure was first in troduced, and the most disheartening prophecies were uttered, but time has proved that these objec tions were fallacies, and that all the predictions of the supporters of the bill have been more than verified. It is then very gratifying to think that another of these remedial measures has been passed, and that there is every reason to believe that the same beneficial results will accrue even as on a former occasion. .It is one of the most difficult things in the world to make the enactments that relate to the hours of labour and the mode of conducting its procedure, but the difficulties ought to be vigorously contended with, and those who struggle in the cause may learn that success in Bach an undertak ing is one of the most enduring and excellent kinds of triumph, and that failure it such attempts is still creditable, and may pave the way for the future efforts of philanthropic individuals in the same cam. The Peacock Testimonial, In laying the:subject of the Peacock Testimonial before our readers, we merely perform, says the Daily Shipping IC etc; one of the duties which it is .. .. _ ntanded our journal shall discharge. Those inte. rested in the shipping of the port of London stood in need of increased facilities for getting their views ventilated in matters of a purely class nature. The claims of Captain Peacock will have been made known this morning by the numereus circulars of the influential corneaidea who held a meeting at the office of Messrs. Cowan, Heatley, and Co., Great St. Helen's, on Taesday afternoon. Captain Pea. cock some four-and -twenty years ago sacrificed commission and standing in the British Navy to take command of the first steamship that passed the Straits of Magellan to the Pacific coast. He was therefore the pioneer of West Coast Steam Navigation, and that circumstance, in conjunction with the maintenance of useful and genial West Coast relations subsisting from then till now, have, in the opinion of numerous friends—especially of the West Coast—justified the putting forward of Captain Peacock's claims to acknowledgment. They think that he who was the first to demonstrate the practicability of long-voyage steam navigation, an achievement chronicled in the annals of Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Equador, and New Grenada should not remain unrecognised in the England which has profied so much by the development of West Coast trade. They think also that at a time when the officers and seamen of the mercantile marine are at the best received into the service of the Crown in a half-hearted kind of manner, ha who among living men was one of the earliest examples of preference for the merchant flag should now, in his declining years, receive that testimonial which long ago might have been appropriately bestowed. The committee believe that those now honouring Capt. Peacock will honour the country's merchant flag. Of Captain Peacock we profess to know nothing. i For any other officer of the mercantile marine similarly recommended for distinguished service and honourable life we would cheerfully bespeak us much favour. We think that they who ought ROAYL ITALIAN OPERA, Covent-garden. _ _ Last Week but Two. Mesdames Fried, Didiee, and Batta ; Signor Graziani , and Signor Blario. - THIS EVENING (Saturday), July 16, will be performed, for the last time this season, Verdi's opera, in lour acts, BAL LO LN MASCHEBA. Amelia, Mdlle. Antonietta Yricci ; Mrica, Mdme. Didieei ; Oscar, Mdile. Marie Battu ; Renato. Signor Graziani ; Armando, Signor Tagliafico; .Angri, Signor Capponi ; Silvan°, Signor YaLar ; II iiiudice, ignor Rossi ; and 11 Duca, signor Mario. Conductor, Mr. Costa. The incidental Divertissement will be supp or ted by Mdlle. Silvoui and M. Desplaces. Commence at half past Eight. Pit tickets, 7s. ; amphitheatre sta is, 10s. 6d., 75., and s s. ; aviphitheare, 28. 6d. Boxes, stalls, and tickets may be had at the box- t ofDo. under the portico o t the tneaire, which is ° per from ten to five, and at the principal musicsellers' and ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Yining. T HIS EVENING, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. Paddy O'Raffer:y, Mr. Dominick Murray. After which, the new play by John Oxenford, Eel, THE MONASTERY OF Si'. JUS : Messrs. Vining, H. Mars tor, J. Nelson , J. W. Ray, H. Mellon , W. Robin.,,S eyton, Chapman; Mrs. IL Marston, and Mdlle. Stella INTii, W THEA'fitE-R0 YAL, ADELP III. &ale Proorietor and Manager, Mr. B. Web ster.r. C. U. T ilIS EVENING, THE I RI S H TIGER. M Stephenson, Mr. Billington. After whicb, JANET PRIDE : Messrs. B. WebsWter, J. L. oolgar, Toole, P. Bedford , Stuart, Ste p henson, Romer ; Miss Denman. Horr ible Tale: Fo ll o wed by THE AREA BELLE , withMias Woolgar, and Iliers.Toole, P. Bedford, A. ILoraers Air ss s. IL Lewis. Commence at 7. R OYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the Management of bfr. B. WEBSTER. Crowded with rank and fashion. -engagement of those celebrated and p o p ular artistes, Mr. Re an Mrs. Charles Mathews. Production of an entirel9 new original Travestie of a very by F. c purnu, Esq., entitled FAUST popular subject, AisiD 31ARGIVERI172.Thne which Mr. and Mrs Charles ,llattiews will apPoa new scenery b) the celebrated actists, Messrs. Danson and Sons ; the incidental Ba,let by Osear Byrne. ncrst the artists engaged will be found the popular Frank Benjamin Webster, Mr. Charles Mathews. Mr. Frank Matthews, Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. Paul mr. :F. Robinson. Mr. Ashley , Mr. J. Johnstone: Bedford, C Miss Mrs. Frank Matthews, Miss 11. Simms, Mass A. Cottrell, Fanny Josephs, Miss Patti Josephs, Misr? Wentworth, Mrs. Stirling, anti 3lrs. Chas. Mathews. EVERY EVENING, at 7, A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING. Mrs. Stirling, Mr. J. Clarke, and Mr. F. Robinson. At a quarter-past 8, a new Travestie, entitled FAUST AND MAR.GUERITE : Mr. Chas. Mathews, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Montague, Mr. W. H. Eburue, Mr. W. Chambertaine, and Mrs. C. Mathews. At 10, LITTLE TODDLEKINS, Mr. Charles Mathews , Mr. and Mrs. F. Matthews. To conclude vrith BRISTOL DIAMONDS. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mathews, Mr. Ash ey, Miss Wentworth. OPERA and RACE GLASSES. Field and Yacht Glasses, in every carte y of size, form, and mounting, matchless for their great magnifying power and sharpness of definition. Price, from 30s. each, at CALLAGHAN'S, 23A, New Bond-street, W.. corner of Conduit-street. Sole agent for the celebrated race and field glasses and photo graphic lenses made by Vei,gtlander, 'Vienna. Field glasses mace expressly for India. warranted to withstand the greatest tropical heat. The new aluminium mounted glasses (as re cently made for 11.11.11. the Prince cf Wales,, though of the largest size, wegisi but a iew ounce:r. VI MOSES AND SON • respectfully call attention to their large and well assorted stock of JUVENILE CLOTHING. he newest Mums are combined with the latest and most f T ashionable eesigns, and the best workmanship. E. MOSES and SON - rive particular atte ntion to this im p ortant branch of their b us iness, and they can with confidence affirm that the prices Are such as must satisfy the most economical. This depart ment is in a oitinct part of the premises, which will be found a great convenience for ladies and children, MOSES AND SON E• respectfully invite public attention to their large and well-assorted SPRING STOCK. MOSES AND SON'S • "SANDRINGHAM" WRAPPER uirocinced bstyy them) o is the newest and most fashionable le O ver coats for the season. MOSES AND SON'S E• READY- MADE and BESPO BE CLOTHING for all classes and all ages. E MOSES AND SON's • CELEBRATED "INDISPENSABLE" SUIT, from 80s. OSES AND SON'S • HOSI14:11Y and DRkPERY, for all classes and all ages. MOSES AND SON'S FIATS AND CAPS, for all c asses and all ages. MOSES AND S BOOTS and SHOES, for all classes and all ages. E MOSES AND SON'S • OITTFI rS. for all classes, all age;, and all climates. MOSES AND SON't LONDON HOUSES, 154, 155, IP, 157, Minories; 83, 84, 85, 86. 87, 89. 80, Aldgate 506, 507, 508, New Oxford--street; 1,2, 3, Hart-strect ; 137, 138, Tottenham-court -road ; 288, Euston-road MO SE S AND SON'S E• COUNTRY ESTABLISHMENT, Bridge-street, Bradford, York shire. The Weather—Sun Ofge, July 16, 1864. THERMOMETER. This day at Two o'clock 7O Barometer-30.14. WIND—N.E. ; light breeze and fine. WI MOSES AN D SON'S • Establishments are closed every Friday evening at sunset until Saturday evening at sunset, when business is re sumed until li o'clock. A 1 articles are marked the lowest prices in plain figures. Any article not approved of will be exchanged, or the money re . urued. List of Prices with Rules for Self-measurement, Fashionhe Card, and our new pamphlet, " The Tercentenary ; or, T Three Hundredth Birthday of William Shakspeare," gratis acid post free. COALS. —The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S COALS. Direct from their own Collieries. Marquis'. 9 39. per ton. I Double 20s. per ton. ' lop 225. „ 1 Deep potsand delivered within five miles ot their De- Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf, Paddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N. Best C0ke........ . . lss. per chaldron. Terms cash. JOHN SCOTT, Sole Agent. TIRE THIRD EDITION OF " THE S UN, ' 1 Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLIc.NIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-Park' BIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TSIS DAY.—Morning, Ilh. 18m.—Afternoon, llh. 54m ro-moa,ll.ol;VeMorning, h. m.—Afternoon, 12h. 22m, to have our help should receive it. We give it, therefore, in this case on public grounds. The officers of the mercantile marine, old and young, have never been, so far as we ere aware, over valued. On the contrary, there is no want of evidence of their being too often highly thought of. In the Navy, especially, they have been long regarded as a law-bred and inferior class. We are not sure that this feeling has ever yet wholly passed away. Many of our old admirals are still the con ceited fools that they always were. Nor can it be said that the Admiralty exhibit more than half the liberality that they ought to do. Why should the commander of a first-class merchant ship be incom petent to command a first•class Queen's ship ? Press the Admiralty on the point, and the sole abjection will be that the commanders of first class merchant ships are not lords, not gentry, nor men put forward by others who happen to have the disposal of a rotten Parliamentary borough. This surely is a narrow view of the fitness of any class of men. Good seamanship with all that that implies, is something apart from and superior to birth or influence. M a rule the best sailors are the self-made men, whose lives have been marked by ups and downs, and who, by stea diness and industry, have gained the ladder's top. On the other hand, the rule is that the worst sailors are the feather bed, silver spoon gentlemen with which the Navy now abounds. Such sailors could not hold a candle to the effacers of the merchant service. The latter are seasoned for endurance — the former have still to endure their seasoning. The Admiralty commit a serious blunder in practi• cally excluding from the service of their country he very men on whom the country must rely in a ,ime of danger. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] AMERICA. (Per the Africa.) The Royal Mail steamship Africa, from Boston on the 6th and Halifax on the Bth July, arrived at Queenstown at 4 a.m. today (July 16). She brings 77 passengers and 61,431 dollars in specie. She landed 113 sacks of math; and 12 passengers, and proceeded at 415 a.m. for Liverpool. All well. NEW YORK, JULY 5, Evening, Senator Fe senders has accepted the office of Sec retary of the Treasury. The Government has withdrawn its rroposal for bids for the balance of the loan of seventy-five millions. Wilson's cavalry has entirely destroyed 60 miles of the Southern railroad. Gem Hunter has reached Charlestown, Virginia. Congress has adjourned sine die. The New York and the City of Baltimore have arrived out; (By Telegraph to Halifax.) NEW YORK, July 7, Evening. A large Confederate force has occupied Harper's Ferry and Hagarstovvn, Maryland, and is advancing northward. President Lincoln has called out the militia to repel the invasion. Wilson's cavalry has returned, having lost 13 guns and 1,000 prisoners. It is expected that Grant is nearly ready for another demonstration against Petersburg. Sherman has occupied Marietta and Kenesaw. • Johnston has retreated to Chattahoochie. Ewell's forces, estimated to number 30,000 men, have advanced safely up the Shenandoah Valley. After a severe fight they evacuated Martinsburg and retreated towards Maryland Heights. The Federals have abandoned Harper's Ferry and des stroyed the bridge. The Confederates are at Harper's Ferry preparing to attack the Maryland Heights. Marauding parties appeared at Frederick, Point of Rocks, Greencastle, and Chambersburg, Penn sylvania. Great alarm is felt along the Pennsyl vanian border. It is supposed that the main Confederate body will march to Frederick, Maryland. Hunter's forces are moving to attack the Con. federates. President Lincoln called out 12,000 New York Militia, 12,000 Pennsylvania, and 8,000 Massa. chusetts Militia. Martial law has been proclaimed and the Habeas Corpus Act suspended in Kentucky. The steamer Rose has been destroyed. The Asia has arrived out. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, JULY 5, Evening. Money tight. Gold 246. Exchange on London, banktre' bills 263. Stocks advancing. New York Centrals, 1341 ; Illinois Shares, 132; Erie, 1151 ; United States Six per Cents., 5.20's Bonds, 105. NEw Yonx, July 7, Evening. Money tight. Gold 271. Market excited and tendiag upwards. Exchange on London, bankers' bills, 290. Stocks steady. New York Centrals, 1332 ; Illinois Shares, 130 ; Erie, 1142 ; Six per Cent, United States 5:•20 Bonds, 104. Cotton—Mildling Uplands, 160 c. to 163 c. Flour, wheat, corn, and provisions advancing. Coffee quiet. Sugar advancing. Molasses very firm. Petroleum, crude, 531 ; refined, 90 to 92. FROM THE TIMES' CORRESPONDENT. NEW YORK, July 5. General Wilson, after three days' conflict, during which he lost all his trains, artillery, wounded, and 1,000 men, has by a detour of 30 miles escaped through the Confederate lines and rejoined Grant. General Baldy Smith on the morning of the 30th attempted the capture of the Confederate intrench ments in his front, but was repulsed. On the 3d a Confederate force, variously esti mated at from 6,000 to a full corps, and reported to be under General Ewell, occupied Martinsburg, and drove Sigel to Harper's Ferry. An invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania is apprehended, and portions of the Confederate force are asserted to have already crossed the Potomac at Falling Waters, Dam No. 4, and Williamsport. Sherman reports that he occupied Kenesew Mountain and Marietta on the morning of the 3d, the Confederates having retired towards the Chat tahoochie. Memphis papers state that General Carr defeated the Confederate General Shelby near St. Charles, Arkansas, on the 27th ult., capturing 200 prisoners and several cannon. The Federal loss was 200, that of the Confederates in killed and wounded is esti mated at 500. Daring the night Shelby was reinforced by Mar maduke, when Carr retreated. It is reported that Marmaduke and Shelby are moving for a combined attack upon Steele at Little Rock. Congre6s adjourned sine die yesterday. Mr. Fessenden has accepted the Secretaryship of the Treasury, and entered upon the duties of the office this morning. Railway Accidents, TO THE EDITOR OF THE k' . " 7 ` Sin,—lt is difficult to understand why railway directors persist in ignoring three admirable safeguards, all of which are practised in America, with success, for the prevention y of railway accidents. Firstly, Why i s there not the simple machiner called the cow lifter, which , when attached to the fore part of the engine, can lift off any obstruction, living or inanimate ; and which plan, therefore, in night travel. ling, is especially useful s econ dly, Why is there not a bell rops running through loops within the railway car. riages, enabling passengers, in case of illness or of robbery, t o co mmunicate with the engineer o r g uard ? The objee • tion which I have heard alleged ag ainst this plan is that it might be used by foolish or mischievous persons to hoax the officials; but this objection does not apply in America, and I do not understand why it should apply in England, At any rate, the plan deserves a fair trial, and this remark a pplies to the well known plan o f exchanging small num rbieargeed plates swafiethdtehleivreariylwoafyiSge guardga from one station to o r porter, for the car. another station, perhaps hundreds of miles distant.— Yours, &c., ciul. CooE, July 14, SUDDEN DEATH OF VIE PEACE.—On DEP UTY CLERH OF THE Wednesday a n in quest was held at the Sessions House, Clerkenwell-Green, relative to the death of Mr Baldwin, aged 52, who was found dead in his office en Tuesday afternoon last. From the evidence of Mr Charles Robert Harper, a clerk in the Peace-ofuce, it appeared that the deceased was the deputy clerk, whom he saw last alive about half-past eleven on Tuesday morning. He complained of a numbness in the limbs an d dryness in the throat. De ceased was then in his inner office. Shortly before half past four o'clock in the afternoon witness found him sitting in his chair dead. Mr Charles J. Austin, surgeon, said that death was caused by fatty degeneration of the hent. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes. A CAPTIOUS AND VIOLEN T ROGUE.—A man with several aliases, including Goodenough, Smith, and Williams, was tried before Dir Justice Byles, at Winches ter, on Thursday, for five burglaries committed in different o parts of Haropehile. Ho cha llenged no less than 20 jury men, on the ground th a t there wasa prejudice against hi m in the county, and th en a pp*ently went into a fit, and lay A. on the floor of th e dock. jury was made up from the per sons in thcoaut the rt prisoner,atcithetri awl a proceeded, a it a t b B e i r n i g „ toi aftern in a evidence shown desperate resistance, in which he used a knife and a six barrelled revolver, stabbing one of the officers. He was surrounded in the dock by a strong force of police, it b e i ng considered probable that he would be violent. He was found guilty and sentenced to 11 years' penal servitude and is still to be tried for being at large before the cxpira: tiou of A former sentence of 15 years' transporatiAa, COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Gold opened at 235 and gradually rose to 246. Exchange, 266. Sixes, registered, 1881, 1041 ; Five-Twenties (Coupons), 1041; Seven-Thirties, 104; ; New York Centrals, 134 k ; Illinois Centrals, 132; Eries, 1151. Breadstuffs advancing. Provisions active. JULY 7. The President has demanded 12,000 militia from New York, 12,000 from Pennsylvania, and 5,000 from Massachusetts to repel the Confederate inva- ion. Sigel holds Maryland heights, and the Confe rates Harper's Ferry and Hagerstown. The object of the invasion is unknown. It is supposed by some to be a mere raid for horses and stores, and by others the capture of Baltimore. Martial law is proclaimed in Kentucky. Gold, 271 Cotton, 163 c. DENMARK. SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE. VIENNA, JULY 16. The proposals of Denmark, addressed direct to the Courts of Berlin and Vienna, have been met on the part of Austria and Prussia by a suspension of arms on land and sea until the 31st July, during which period the blockade will be raised. The German Powers have added the request that Denmark will immediately send plenipotentiaries to Vienna, in order to come to an understanding with Austria and Prussia relative to the basis of peace. SPAIN. MADRID, JULY 15. Intelligence received here states that several despatches of Admiral Puizon to his Government have been stolen during the passage of the couriers across the Isthmus of Panams. SWEDEN. STOCKHOLM, JULY 15. The Daglige Allehanda of to -day says ;—" Den mark is of little importance to strengthen Scandi navia against Russia. Til9 absorption of Denmark by Germany would inspire us with pity, but not with alarm." The construction of the first monitor for the Swedish navy has been commenced at the iron works. The material for two others are ready. THE PRINCIPALITIES. PROCLAMATION OF PRINCE COUZA. BUCHAREST, JULY 15. A proclamation has been issued by Prince Couza, stating the results of hie journey to Constantinople, and expressing the gratitude of the country towards the Suzerain Court and the guaranteeing Powers, The Prince also formally announces that the Powers have recognised, saving some slight modifications, the acts of the 2d May, sanctioned by a plebiscite of the Roumin people. The Roumain Moniteur publishes the statute of he new electoral law. Another decree constitutes the Council of State and a Board of Control, and appoints the members of the same. FRANCE. BOURSE, July 15.—The market had rather a downward tendency at the opening, but afterwards rallied. Threes, for the Account, after receding to 66f. 35c„ are now again unvaried at 66f. 45c. Railway Market firm, with previous prices up to the present time pretty well maintained. The market closed as follows :- 41 per Cents. 94 80 Du. end month 3 per Cents Do. end month 66 45 Credit Mobilier 1025 1)o, end month .. 1025 Bank Shares 3420 Credit Fonder 1230 Roman R. LL Italian Loan 6B 25 Do. end month 6B 45 Ditto Threes .. New Mexican ~.. 57 50 Russian .. — Austrian - Spanish Threes.. Home Debt Deferred PAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 877 50 .. 871 25 northern Lyons and Mediterranean 805 897 50 New ditto -- Southern Western Eastern Sardinian .. 353 75 .. 352 50 Austrian Lear bard North of Spain . 432 50 .. 433 75 Saragossa 6lO 623 75 Ditto to Barcelona The National lifle Association, WIMBLEDON PRIZE MEETING. FOURTH DAY. The camp fires were lighted for the first time on Thursday evening, and a repetition of the scenes of good-humour and merriment which formed so agreeable a contrast to the exertions of the day took place, The proceedings were of the same picturesque character as those of last year; and the amateur vocalist who then sang the song of " Jack and the Mermaid," which has since attained to so much popularity, was not less happy in his convivial character. Captain Drake shared the honours of the evening with Mr Harris, and Lord and Lady Eleho had the gratification of hearing and seeing their healths proposed and drank with a heartiness and joviality which could not fail to have been exceedingly agreeable, and the terms in which the noble lord acknowledged the compliment appeared as unaffectedly genuine. Some fears had been expressed that these jovial meetings would not find much encouragement at headquarters, on the ground that they would interfere with that steadiness of hand and clearness of sight which are so essential to the good marksman. Lord Elcho adeverted to the necessity of keeping these midnight entertainments within reasonable bounds,on account not less of the volunteers themselves than of safety to the camp, which is now a very extensive one, and contains a large amount of valuable property. The lights in the camp were put out at 11 o'clock, and it was understood that that would in future be the hour for closing all festivities of this description. In addition to the songs of Mr Harris and Captain Drake, the proceedings were enlivened by Lord Bury, who sang "The gay cavalier." Lord Aber deen also took part in this extemporised concert ; Lord Dufferin begged to be excused, on the score of the vocalist's usual excuse, a severe cold, and a party of the Victories sang with much heartiness the popular air and chorus, " Sally come up." The more distinguished of the company included Lord and Lady Eicho, Lord and Lady Bury, Lord Bolton, Earl Ducie, Lord Dufferin, Lord Fielding, Lord Aberdeen, Captain Mildmay, &e., and it was plea sant to notice the spirit of fraternity, liberty, and equality which pervaded the whole meeting. Peer and peasant, soldier and civilian ; lady visitors, in opera cloaks and lace mantillas, and villagers from the neighbourhood in more humble garb ; shoe biacks, and gentlemen in evening dress and white cravats, telling of the dinner table which they had deserted; volunteers in uniform of every shade and colour—Royal Scottish and Royal Irish, representatives of every county in the United Kingdom—all met upon equal terms, and enjoyed the fun and frolic, the chaff, the good humour which everywhere prevailed at this merry meeting round the 'Wimbledon camp fire. In connection with these convivial meetings it will not be out of place to mention how completely successful the council has been this year in the matter of refreshments, certainly a most important point, when it is considered how large a portion of the day the volunteers have to pars at Wimbledon. The council have solved one of the great difficulties of the day, and those who have the duty of providing for the creature comforts of largo bodies of people would do well to take a lesson from the example which is set by Mr. Jennison, of Manchester, in this respect. This contractor has been in the habit for some time pest of supplying good substantial re freshments to thousands of persons at the Belle Vue Gardens in Manchester, and the experience which he has there obtained has now been turned to good account . . The manner in which this department was carried out last year gave universal satisfaction, and the same good system is now adopted. A batter testimonial could not possibly be given than that of the report to the council of the inspecting officers, of which the following is a copy ; " We have the honour to report, for the information of the Council of the National Rifle Association, upon the state of the refreshments, of which we have had charge during this meeting. The provisions of every kind have been of the best quality and well cooked. The liquors have also been good, and moderate in price. The attendance, with the exception of the first day, has been perfectly satisfactory. We have not received a single ealous complaint from any person during the meeting. We cannot suggest any improvement in the arrangement in this department for future meetings. We conclude by stating that, in our opinion, the whole management is creditable to the Messrs Jennison, of Belle Vue, Manchester, who evidently perfectly understand their business." Yesterday the firing for the last range of GOO yards in the first stage of the Queen's was commenced, and continued throughout the day. Some very good practice was made, bat it did not on the whole indicate any advance over that of last year. The glare of the sun was excessively bright, and inter• fered to a considerable extent with the accuracy of aim ; while the extraordinary beat of the weather induced a considerable amount of lassitude on the part of the competitors. Some very excellent shoot. been made, Dr. Avis m a d e 11 birugliihsa.esy, ve bull's-eyes and centres, shooting consecutively ; and Captain Webb, with a Westley Richard's rifle, firing at the running deer scored 9 bull's-eyes, 10 cen t r es and 7 eaters, consecutive shooting. Mr. Frere, of the London Rifle Brigade, made some very good practice, scoring 45 in the first stage of the Queen's, thus securing a rifle, this being the third which he has won at three consecu tive meetings at Wimbledon. Mr. Ross, jun., made some splendid practice with the telescopic rifle ; he made four bull's-eyes and a centre, scoring 19 marks, the highest he could make being 20. He also made four bull'eseyes at sighting, thus making the extraordinary shooting of eight consecutive bull's eyes and a centre. At the first stage of the Queen's it was reported that the three highest scores were 47. Last year the two hi g hest were ties at 49. The heat of the weather has been most oppressive. One gentleman, Mr. F. W. Street, manager of the old bank at Arundel, had a Punatroke, was taken home, and is reported to have died yesterday. Ho was a member of the 9th Sussex corps. The London Rifle Brigade have offered a prize of £5O, to be competed for with the Enfield rifle, without restriction as to position or ammunition. The entrance fee is to be 55., the lowest, in com parison with the amount of the prize, of any that is offered to the competitors, and it is expected that the competition will have the effect of bringing prominently under notice some bullets of different form than the regulation ones, but still adapted for the Enfield 't , 2 , e' I 0t4 , 9 Mint„ E.EII, MAJESTY, OSBORNE, July 15. The Queen and Princess Louis of Hesse drove out yesterday morning. _ Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse, Princess Helena, Prince Leopold, and Prince William of Prussia, attended by Madile. de Grancy, Baroness Dobeneck, the Hon. Flora Macdonald, Couut Furstenstein, Captain von Westerweller, and Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge, went on board the royal yacht Fairy yesterday afternoon, and cruised in the Solent. Dr. :Termer arrived on "Wednesday and returned to London yesterday. Messrs. E. and E. Emanuel, of Portsmouth, had the honour of submitting for her Majesty's inspec tion the gold vase manufactured by them for the Goodwood Race Meeting of the present year. The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Prince of Wales rode on horseback yesteri day, attended by Captain Grey. The Prince and Princees of Wales took a car riage drive. In the evening their Royal Highnesses honoured the Earl and Countess Spencer with their company at dinner at Spencer House. The Hon. Mrs. Stoner and Captain Grey were in attendance. The Prince of IfVales honoured Mr. Frith with a sitting at his studio for the picture he is now paint ing of the Royal weddigg. Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Spencer House, The Earl and Countess Spencer gave a splendid banquet last evening at Spencer House, St. James's, to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary of Cambridge. The Prince and Princess of Wales arrsved at 10 minutes past eight o'clock, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Stonor and Captain Grey. Their royal high nesses were met on their arrival by the Earl and Countess Spencer, Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary canoe shortly afterwards, attended by Lady Geraldine Somerset and Csptain Ellis. There were present to meet the royal party The Duke of Rutland, the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn and Lady Georgiana Hamilton, the Marquis of Hartington, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, Earl Granville, Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor, the Countess (Dowager) Spencer and Lady Sarah Spencer, Viscount and Viscountess Sydney, and Lord Dankellin. Covers were laid for 26 persons. The Countess Spencer, later in the evening, threw open her saloons for the reception of a select party invited to meet the royal guests. About 250 persons of rank had the honour to receive invita tions. After the banquet the whole of the handsome suite of saloons were thrown open for the reception of company, the painted saloon being appropriated for the dancing party. Dancing commenced at eleven o'clock with a quadrille, the Princess of Wales giving her hand to the Earl Spencer, and the Prince of Wales dancing with the Countess Spencer. The Princess Mary of Cambridge danced in the same quadrille with the Earl Grosvenor. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales will honour the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch with their company at dinner, at Richmond, this evening, at six o'clock. A select party has been invited to /flee t their royal highnesses in the evening, at 8 o'clock, to a swe ll dance, Morning dress. The Earl of Hopetoun has arrived at Long s Hotel. The Countess of Newburg entertained a dinner party, at her residence in Wilton-crescent, last evening. The Countess of Fife and Lady Anne Duff :cave town to• day on a visit to Lord and Lady de L'lsle and Dudley. The Count and Countess Nicholas Haniskerff an d family have arrived at the Brunswick llotel, Jermyn• street, from "Vicuna. SIR EDWIN LANDSEER'S LIONS.—As works 01 art Sir Edwin Landseer's lions for the base of th e Nelson column, in the estimation of the Reader, are ill' finitely superior to Canova's lions at St. Peter's, or Tho r , waldson's lion at Lucerne. The principal model, about "2 1 feet long by some eight or nine feet high, would almos t Appear to have been closely copied from nature, not from 4 tame beast, but from a noble animal in its native wilds. The mane, in which sculptured lions aro almost all stie ll failures, in this magnificent model is a departure from t h conventional curled hair, and flows in all its natural breadth and freedom. If we have waited long for these lions, it is ' at least, satisfactory to know that they will be wart waiting for. MR ROBSON'S health, we are glad to report, 16 greatly improved, and that there are even hope s of 11 being able to reappear at the Olympic before the c lose ° tb.e season.— The Reader. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOClETY.—Newcast le ' °°. Tyne, July 14.—Today there has been a la r g: gathering of farmers, country gentry, and inhabitants oft and adjacent towns, to witness the second day's trial of steel ploughs and cultivators, and the first day's trial of swing BP " wheel ploughs, grubbers, and other implements , upolet-ho grounds of the Royal Agricultural Society at Benton• o f judges of swing and wheel ploughs are Mr T. Outhwaitet ; Goldsborough, Mr E. Whortley, and Mr Dod, of A-a le '' '. grange ; Mr Howard, Britannia Ironworks ; Messrs. gam, comes and Sims, of Ipswich ; Messrs. Hunt and Picke rllt° Mr Wm. Busby, of Newton-le-Willows, Leamen ; Larkworthy and Co., Worcester ; Mr Wm. Ball and '°". Rothwell, Northamptonshire; Mr John Gregory, W est° „ e i; near South Shields ; Messrs. Turner and Bishop, Leight.r Buzzard; Messrs. E. Page and Co., Bedford, and () .i ril ii e t . implement makers, had horse ploughs entered ; an d " - Ds ing the whole of to-day the trial of these horse-011,0 has attracted tho largest amount of attention of T r , north-country farmers present, who , ho wever, though t:ld, Mg less notice of the steam ploughing, could not withi t 0 th e ir astonishment at the enormous amount of work hop through by these latter-mentioned implements of 11 , i til bandry. These trials will not all be completed 11730 Saturday afternoon. This afternoon it was reporte t Commissioners from France and some other foreign Stilted,ol. were in the grounds, but the attendance of distant ar' te d. turalists was not so large as might have been antic i P ti vi ie• The show ground upon Newcastle town moor is oontP;iii; the horses will arrive to-morrow, and the cattle n e%t the show of agricultural implements is in a very f °r ;i i a' state. In addition to the show of horses and cattle nn be as plements by the Royal Agricultural Society, there will_vol‘• exhibition of dogs and poultry on the town moor nex t We understand that the Hon. S. M. Maori o'cloy an unofficial interview with Lord Palmersto n on Thtlfrioillt at Cambridge House, at the introduction of Mr Lin and that the meeting was satisfactory to all parties' be re' withdrawal of Mr Lindsay's mo ti on w a s , it is said, t ort of cult of that interview , the Premier havin g given s e pti implied promise to support it at a more opportune nie ra a do' chat is to say , when G r a nt a nd Sherman have bee•tiott• feated, and the Confederacy stand in no ne ed of recogel —Herald. 00 of HORRIBLE SUICIDE, , —A very shocking °goo' suicide occurred on the Midland Railway at ton, about a mile from Nottingham, late on Thursdayoolo On the arrival of the train at Nottingham from fjl o p 0 6 ' the guard stated that he had run against something 035 line, and a messenger was sent to clear it. Oa 061 00 Sneinton he found a man lying on the side of the r a d 0 0 0 , quite dead. His head was fearfully cut, his legs f it ic ,l 3 o o were smashed, and altogether his body presented ro. spectacle. A razor and lid were found in hi s Peci;.epe kith is supposed that the deceased was standing on Ole ' IL I no cico' the intention of committing suicide, when he was , i , t eiP down by the buffers of the engine and killed imoTtisipeOt He was 200 yards from any crossing, and had 13° 0 o rs ° near the place. Deceased is between 40 and 5 y ears Doci age, but his n ame i s not known. Au inqu est Will n 4 on the body thi s d a y. '- • A MERE TRIFLE—TI ARD LY WORTS 14°Argef ING.-- It is announced with much modesty by tt f l „ 4 110 0 can paper that the Federal debt is on l y 1,700,000,0vv - 3 ave tail 1.50 Cre 3pe 3 pe Nev Nem Aux Rae Ban Inch Ausl Braz Dc Buel Chili Colo Cal) Dani LC Equl Eg➢! .1X Gree Da Dc Dc Gua Ita Mex . Dc D( Moo] New Dc Peru IN Port D( 'vi DI Rim D( Dc Bard Spat 1 ini SWe T ur i D Yen 1) D D D D Aus belt piiti Frei I tal Per Piec any ii' rep Sta Wit